What is colorectal cancer screening?

Colorectal cancer, sometimes called colon cancer, is a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. But screening for it at the right time can help save lives. Screening is the most effective way to help prevent colorectal cancer by finding precancerous polyps and removing them before they become cancerous.

When should I get screened for colorectal cancer?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends adults age 45-75 years get screened for colorectal cancer. If you are older than 75, you and your doctor can decide what is best for you. How frequently you get screened for colorectal cancer will depend on the type of test or screening and your doctor’s recommendations.

What colorectal cancer screening options are available?

There are a few different screening options recommended by the CDC for detecting colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about which screening option may be best for you. Here are the colorectal cancer screening options available.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is the most effective screening option. With a colonoscopy, your doctor can examine your entire colon as well as remove any polyps. You will need to do a colon prep for this screening option. If polyps are found, they will be sent to the lab for further testing and your doctor may recommend testing more frequently.

With normal results, a colonoscopy is done every 10 years.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

This procedure allows your doctor to view the lower part of the colon. This test only covers the last third of your colon and requires a colon prep.

With normal results, this test may be done every five years or as recommended by your doctor.

FIT-DNA stool test

A DNA stool test is an at-home test that checks a stool sample for signs of colon cancer by looking for abnormal DNA. A version of this test is called Cologuard®. Your doctor will give you this test to take at home, where you will collect the stool sample. You then return the sample for testing. If abnormal DNA is found in the stool sample, you will need to get a colonoscopy to find the cause.

With normal results, this test is done once every three years or as recommended by your doctor.

Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) 

These are at-home tests that do not require a colon prep and check stool samples for blood. Your doctor will give you a kit to take home, where you will collect several stool samples to be submitted for testing. If blood is found, you will need to get a colonoscopy to find the cause of the blood.

With normal results, this test is done once a year or as recommended by your doctor.

Is colorectal cancer screening covered by Blue Cross of Idaho?

Blue Cross of Idaho members have colorectal cancer screening covered at little or no cost to them as part of their preventive care benefits. If you’re a Blue Cross of Idaho member, please refer to your plan documents for specific preventive care benefits covered under your plan.

Talk with your doctor

Talk with your doctor about which colorectal cancer screening option is best for you.

If you’re a Blue Cross of Idaho member and you don’t have a primary care provider (PCP), log in to your member account on our member website and select Find Care to search for a provider by specialty, location and more.

Blue Cross of Idaho members can also use our member app to find a provider. You can download the Blue Cross of Idaho member app from the App Store and Google Play.

Download the member app

You can use the Blue Cross of Idaho member app to help you get important information while on the go.

With the member app, you can:

• Search for doctors and care
• Review your claims
• View and share your digital member ID card

Download the member app from the App Store and Google Play.

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho Healthcare Operations Team

Posted: March 1, 2023

Updated: April 2, 2024